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Berets, Anyone?

quikrick

One Too Many
Messages
1,037
Location
Bay Area, California
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Spanish beret from Boinas de la Encartada de Balmaseda. A very fine beret.
I bought this from fellow boinero @Babbo Philipe
 

Daan

Vendor
Messages
930
Location
Wellington, Aotearoa
This week saw the launch of a new line of berets.
The new Boneteria Aotearoa 'Bique-les' beret line is inspired by the illustrious Spanish Basque beret manufacturer La Encartada (Balmaseda, 1892 - 1992).
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The La Encartada factory in Balmaseda (Bizkaia, Basque Country) was one of the largest beret manufacturers ever, established in 1892 and continued production until it's closure a century later, in 1992.
Founder Marcos Arena Bermejillo was the typical “Indian” (a man who made his fortune in the New World and returned to Spain). He returned from Mexico to his hometown of Balmaseda and decided to invest his money in a beret factory.
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It turned out to be not only a profitable enterprise, but also a progressive labour experiment, taking well care of the workers - which was far from customary in those days.
La Encartada was a comprehensive factory, generating its own (hydro)energy, fully controlled production, had auxiliary workshops to repair and manufacture spare parts, a cardboard and packaging workshop, vehicles for transport, etc.
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The new Bique-les line of berets are top quality, heavy duty Basque berets in classic black and dark navy, made of 100% fine Australian merino wool. The berets are fitted with a solid cotton lining and carry the woven Bique-les label.
The goat as a symbol of resilience and determination is as old as humanity, in cultures the world over, and is an apt image of what these berets stand for.
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The Bique-les range of berets are all 'universels', one-size models that stretch and adjust to the individual wearer's head size and shape.
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The diameters range from the very small ∼25cm model, to the large Plato Grande/Chasseur in ∼33cm and more in between.
 

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